The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have recently announced the films that have made the shortlist for best International Film for the 95th Academy Awards. Pakistan’s film industry has never had a film shortlisted for the Oscars, but Joyland has now emerged to break this glass ceiling in 2022.
These are the 15 films that have made the 2023 Oscar shortlist for Best International Film.
The official nominations will be announced on January 24. pic.twitter.com/LThwa3e8AY
— Lost In Film (@LostInFilm) December 21, 2022
The placing of Joyland in a shortlist for the Oscars surprised as well as delighted many of its fans at home and abroad. The initial reaction to the film was mixed, as conservative-minded individuals and groups within Pakistan advocated for a complete ban on the film from being viewed in public or in cinemas, while those of a more moderate and liberal mindset demanded that the film be kept uncensored and be allowed to play in theaters nationwide.
#Joyland becomes the first ever Pakistani Feature Film that is shortlisted for the Oscars.
The international feature film list contains the name we all have been waiting for.
I now hope that it will bring our Oscars in 2023.
Goodluck Saim Sadiq and Sarmad Khoosat pic.twitter.com/RbnLvV86nl
— Hasan Kazmi (@hasankazmi_) December 21, 2022
Joyland was scheduled to be released in Pakistan on 18 November 2022. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting banned its release citing the country’s Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979. This decision was reversed on 16 November 2022, clearing the way for domestic screenings of the film, after censoring several “objectionable scenes” of the film.
Delighted that @SaimSadiq14 ki #joyland has been shortlisted for Best International Film at the Oscars. I have a feeling it’ll make the nomination and bring the trophy home! 🏆🏆🏆#Oscars2023
— AHI (@aamnaisani) December 22, 2022
The cast of Joyland includes Ali Junejo who plays ‘Haider’, the son of a conservative Pakistani family who decided to become a back-up dancer and Alina Khan, a transgender actress who plays the role of ‘Biba’, the show-runner of Haider’s dance group.
Other films in the Oscars Shortlist for Best International Film 2022 include Argentina 1985 (Argentina), All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany), Corsage (Austria), Close (Belgium), Return to Seoul (Cambodia), Holy Spider Saint Omer (France), Last Film Show (India), The Quiet Girl (Ireland), Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths (Mexico), Blue Caftan (Morocco), EO (Poland), Decision to Love (South Korea), and Cairo Conspiracy (Sweden).
